[Immunoglobulin E and complement in patients with contact allergy to nickel suffering from atopic and contact eczema]

The aim of the study was estimation of the IgE value, circulating immunocomplexes and the activity of complement system in allergic contact as well as atopic dermatitis in patients with skin nickel hypersensitivity. The study was done in 30 patients in the age range of 18-53 yrs suffering from allergic contact dermatitis (15 patients) and atopic dermatitis (15 patients) with positive skin patch test to nickel. The concentration of total IgE as well as specific IgE to mites, Phleum, Betula, Artemisia and the concentration of circulating complexes in the serum of patients were estimated. The activity of C1inh and CH50 was estimated in plasma of the patients. The results of the study indicated an increase of concentration of circulating immuno-complexes in 80% of the patients of both groups, an increase of total IgE in 50% of patients with atopic dermatitis and in 25% of the patients with contact dermatitis. There were no changes in the activity of C1inh and the value of CH50 in both groups of patients.